• In 2008, the median wages for welders and other similar professions was $16.13 per hour.valve image by Eldin Muratovic from Fotolia.com
  
  The process of welding consists of applying heat to pieces of metal. When done properly, welding forms an extremely strong, permanent bond. This process is used in thousands of manufacturing endeavors such as the automobile industry and aerospace applications. There are 100 unique welding methods. The process used depends on the types of metals to be welded and the conditions surrounding the welding job. A valve is a device that opens and closes a passageway for fluid to enter or exit. Various types of welding can be used to bond valves. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for the preferred type of welding with each valve.
  
  

Arc Welding

• This welding process is used most often and is considered the simplest method. Arc welding bonds metal together using electric currents which create heat. This intense heat causes the metal to melt or meld when mixed with a molten filler metal. When cooled, the bond causes the weld to be as strong as the metal parts. The arc is created when the electrode tip, reaching up to 6500 degrees F, is touched then withdrawn from the work piece.
  
  

Flash Welding

• Flash welding is considered an economical process, especially in its application in butt welding mass production. This welding process consists of welding the ends of the pieces by direct electrical heat. Material clamped between dies is slowly brought together while the heat is turned on. The flash occurs when current flows through rapidly heated points of contact. This method is used for a variety of shapes and sizes of components such as rails and wheel rims for bicycles. Flash welding has an energy input which is more efficient than other methods.
  
  

Automated Welding

• Today, automated welding is being used with more frequency. This involves a machine or robot, completing the welding tasks as a human machine operator monitors the operation. Although the robot completely does the welding, it is the human operator that must ensure that the job is completed according to specifications. Operators are also responsible for loading the parts correctly and machine monitoring.